Container, use, dialyzer or preparation unit as well as method of manufacturing a concentrate

ABSTRACT

A container includes a dry concentrate designed such that the dry concentrate forms an acid liquid concentrate, or a part of an acid liquid concentrate, which is suitable for manufacturing a dialysis solution, on the dissolution of the dry concentrate in a liquid, preferably in water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container comprising at least one dryconcentrate.

2. Description of Related Art

A base concentrate which is usually present as a dry concentrateconsisting of or comprising bicarbonate is usually used as part ofcarrying out a dialysis treatment, in particular a hemodialysistreatment. This concentrate is located, for example, in a container suchas a bag or a cartridge which is connected to the dialyzer. A saturatedsolution consisting of or comprising bicarbonate is then manufacturedfrom this dry concentrate by supplying ultrapure water. This baseconcentrate can be led off out of the container and be used formanufacturing the actual dialysis solution, with it being possible tostart the leading off of the concentrate when solid dry concentrate isstill located in the container.

A so-called acid concentrate is usually used in the manufacture of adialysis solution in addition to the named base concentrate. Itcomprises a solution of a plurality of components which are usuallypresent in different amounts and/or concentrations. Typical componentsare NaCl as the main component and the other electrolytes such as CaCl₂and MgCl₂ in smaller amounts. The specifications for the concentrationsof the electrolytes are very tight, which has the consequence that allthe components of the acid concentrate have to be completely dissolvedbefore the use of the acid concentrate in the proportioning or meteringunit for manufacturing the dialysis solution. This cannot take place inflow as with the base concentrate. It is rather the case that specialmixing apparatus such as stirrers have to be used here to ensure thiscomplete dissolving in an acceptable time period.

Against this background, the named acid concentrate is usually suppliedas a liquid concentrate in a canister from which the liquid concentrateis removed by means of the dialyzer or a preparation unit and is usedfor manufacturing the finished dialysis solution. A disadvantage in theuse of such canisters is the comparatively complex handling as well asthe relatively high weight, which brings about disadvantages withrespect to the transportation costs and storage costs.

In clinics in which a larger number of treatment stations are present,ring lines are sometimes also used which are connected to a centralsupply unit. The acid liquid concentrate is manufactured or madeavailable with the aid of special mixing apparatus in this centralsupply unit and is then fed into the ring line. It is led off from thering line at the dialyzers or at the treatment stations and is thenavailable to the dialyzer for preparing the ready-to-use dialysissolution.

A disadvantage of this procedure is that the disinfection and cleaningof such a system is laborious, expensive and pollutive and moreover thatthis type of concentrate supply is only economical for larger treatmentcenters due to the relatively high costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the underlying object of the present invention to provide apossibility of providing an acid concentrate which is associated withlow costs and which can be carried out simply.

This object is satisfied by a container having the features describedherein.

Provision is accordingly made that the dry concentrate located in thecontainer is designed so that, on its solution in a liquid, preferablyin water, it forms an acid liquid concentrate or a portion of an acidliquid concentration which is suitable for manufacturing a dialysissolution.

It is thus the underlying idea of the present invention to provide theacid liquid concentrate by dissolving an acid dry concentrate located ina container, e.g. in a bag or in a cartridge. The transportation ofheavy canisters to the dialyzer as well as the provision of complex ringline systems can thereby be avoided. It is sufficient to fixedly connectthe container in accordance with the present invention to the dialyzeror to a preferably local preparation unit, which is preferably locatedin spatial proximity to the dialyzer, and then to manufacture the acidliquid concentrate on site, i.e. at the treatment station, by dissolvingthe named dry concentrate.

The present invention thus relates to the manufacture of the acidconcentrate usually used within the framework of the dialysis treatmentand for manufacturing of the read-to-use dialysis solution. This acidliquid concentrate preferably comprises the ions Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺,Cl⁻ and optionally further ions and additives such as one or more acids,buffers, acetate, glucose, etc.

If a preparation unit is used, it is preferably not located at a centralsite, but is rather arranged locally, for example at or in the proximityof the dialyzer or treatment station. It is conceivable that one suchpreparation unit is provided per dialyzer.

It is thus possible in accordance with the invention, in a similarmanner also to the base concentrate, to present the acid dry concentratein a disposable container or in another receptacle preferably fixedlyconnectable to the dialyzer or to a preparation unit. It is conceivablethat the receptacle has one or more connection elements which areconnectable, preferably releasably, to one or more coupling means of thedialyzer or of the preparation unit by a plug-in connection or inanother manner and independently of the type of connection. Theconnection between the receptacle and the dialyzer or the preparationunit is preferably made fluid-tight and releasable so that thereceptacle can be removed again after its use and can be replaced with anew receptacle filled with dry concentrate.

The dry concentrate can then, for example, be brought to dissolving byapparatus already present in the dialyzer or in a preparation unit, suchas pumps and air compressors, and can then be used directly formanufacturing the read-to-use dialysis solution.

Alternatively or additionally to this, local mixing units, preferablysmaller mixing units, can also be used which are also called preparationunits within the framework of the present invention and to which theconcentrate receptacle, i.e. the container in accordance with theinvention, can be connected. The dissolving of the acid concentratetakes place in this, whereby the acid liquid concentrate is producedwhich can then be supplied in a suitable manner to the dialyzer or canbe used for manufacturing the finished dialysis solution.

The container in accordance with the invention is designed so that ithas connection means by means of which the container can be coupled to adialyzer or to a preparation unit. These connection means can bedesigned so that they ensure a reliable attachment of the container tothe dialyzer or to the preparation unit using coupling means of thedialyzer or of the preparation unit. The coupling can be formed so thatit is liquid-tight and/or gas-tight.

The connection means and the coupling means can be formed so that thecontainer can be arranged at the dialyzer or at the preparation unit bya plug-in connection. It is also possible to make the connection meansat the container and the coupling means at the dialyzer or at thepreparation unit so that the coupling is achieved by a rotary movementor by a pivot movement of the container, optionally comparable with abayonet closure.

The connection means of the container in accordance with the inventioncan, for example, cooperate or communicate with coupling means of thedialyzer or of another preparation unit such that, on the one hand, aconnection region is established between the coupling means and theconnection means by which the medium used for dissolving the dryconcentrate, in particular liquid, preferably water and additionallygas, preferably air, is introduced. This introduced liquid or theintroduced water as well as the introduced air or gas can then beintroduced into a lower region of the container starting from theconnection means of the container through a hose, through a passage,through a tube, etc. The finished liquid concentrate can preferably alsobe removed from the receptacle through this coupling point.

The connection means and the coupling means can furthermore form asecond connection region through which a fluid, in particular a gas, andparticularly preferably air, is removed from the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, not only water, but alsoair, is introduced through the connection means of the receptacle andthrough the coupling means of the dialyzer or of the preparation meansor through a corresponding fluid connection of these means, and furtherpreferably through a hose or the like, into the container for thepurpose of dissolving the dry concentrate.

So that this air can escape, the connection means and the coupling meanshave a second connection region which forms a second fluid connectionbetween the receptacle and the dialyzer or the preparation unit andthrough which the air can be led off out of the container e.g. into theatmosphere or into the dialyzer or into the preparation unit and can beled off from this e.g. into the atmosphere.

An exemplary embodiment for the connection means of the container, onthe one hand, and for coupling means of the dialyzer or of a preparationunit, on the other hand, can be found in EP 1 344 550 B1 to whichreference is here made in full and whose disclosure content is herewithmade the subject of the present invention. As can be seen from thisdocument, the connection means of the container each have connectorparts which can each be coupled to a corresponding connector part of thecoupling means. These connector parts each have a passage through which,in accordance with the present invention, air and the solution mediumfor dissolving the dry concentrate, in particular water, flows and thenmoves into the container.

The other connector part of the connection means likewise has an openingor a passage which serves to lead off air out of the container duringthe dissolving process.

Deviating from the teaching of EP 1 344 550 B1, provision is preferablymade within the framework of the present invention that a connector partserves for the supply of air and of the solvent, in particular water, aswell as also for the removal of the liquid concentrate. The otherconnector part serves, within the framework of the present invention,only for the removal of gas or air from the container.

The named dry concentrate located in the container can, for example,comprise NaCl and/or CaCl₂ and/or MgCl₂ and/or KCl and/or furtherelectrolyte salts and/or citric acid and/or one or more further acidsand/or glucose and/or acetate or other ions or can consist of one ormore of these substances.

As a further embodiment or aspect of the invention, it is possible thatthe container has such a volume that, in addition to the dryconcentrate, liquid, preferably water, can be received or is received ina volume of 2 to 15 liters or of 4 to 15 liters, preferably in a volumeof 4 to 15 liters, to manufacture the acid liquid concentrate bydissolving the dry concentrate and/or that the container has a totalvolume in the range from 4 to 15 liters.

It is in particular conceivable that the dry concentrate is contained inthe container in a quantity such that on its dissolving in a volume of 4to 15 liters of liquid, preferably water, a liquid concentrate results,with the dry concentrate preferably being completely dissolved. This isdiluted for manufacturing the finished dialysis solution so that thesubstances are preferably present in the following concentration rangeswith respect to the volume of the finished dialysis solution:

NaCl: 110-170 mmol/l, preferably 130-150 mmol/l

KCl: 0.7-4.3 mmol/l, preferably 1.0-4.0 mmol/l

CaCl₂: 0.7-2.0 mmol/l, preferably 1.0-1.75 mmol/l

MgCl₂: 0.3-1.2 mmol/l, preferably 0.5-1.0 mmol/l

Glucose: 0.8-2.2 g/l, preferably 1.0-2.0 g/l

Citric acid: 0.1-20 mmol/l, preferably 1.0-15.0 mmol/l,

All values relate to the finished dialysis solution. It is, for example,conceivable that 34 liters of a mixture of water and the baseconcentrate are mixed with 1 liter of the acid liquid concentrate toobtain 35 liters of ready-to-use dialysis solution. This mixing rationaturally applies not only to the above-named example, but can beassumed as a suitable mixing ratio in general.

The preferred volume capacity of the container in accordance with theinvention is preferably in the range of 4 to 15 liters.

The dry concentrate and thus also the acid concentrate formed therefromcan comprise one, a plurality of or all of the aforesaid substances. Itis also possible that the dry concentrate and thus also the acidconcentrate formed therefrom comprises further than the namedsubstances.

Provision is preferably made that the acid liquid concentrate has a pH<7.0 and/or that the dry concentrate comprises at least one acid.

It is conceivable that, in addition to the explicitly named substances,further substances are also located in the dry concentrate such asfurther electrolytes, buffers, acids, etc.

The container can have rigid and/or flexible walls. It is preferablymade as a bag or also as a cartridge which has solid walls.

A combination of solid and flexible walls is also conceivable. Thecontainer can thus, for example, have a solid wall in the region orregions in which liquid and/or gas and/or the acid liquid concentrate isled off and a flexible wall in the remaining regions.

It is furthermore conceivable that the container is a disposablearticle. It is to be understood by this that the container is discarded,i.e. not reused, after the end of its useful life, i.e., for example,after approximately 1 to 3 uses or treatments. It is conceivable todeliver the containers in the form of bags or cartridges or the like, tomanufacture the acid liquid concentrate therein and to use it for one ormore dialysis treatments. Once it is consumed, the receptacle is thrownaway.

The dry concentrate can be present in the container in an amount of 0.5kg to 6 kg, preferably in an amount of 0.75 kg to 5.5 kg, furtherpreferably in an amount of 1.0 kg to 5.0 kg, and particularly preferablyin an amount of 1.3 to 4.2 kg. Such containers allow a problem-freehandling, are easy to transport and to store and are suitable forcarrying out one or more hemodialysis treatments.

It is possible that the dry concentrate is composed such that the acidliquid concentrate obtained on its solution in a volume of 2 to 15liters, or of 4 to 15 liters, preferably in a volume of 4 to 15 litersliquid, preferably water, has a pH <7.0.

It is conceivable that no liquid substances are included in thecontainer before the dissolving of the dry concentrate. The case is,however, also covered by the invention that at least one liquidcomponent such as an acid is also present in the dry concentrate. Theterm “dry concentrate” is thus to be understood such that the dryconcentrate is not in the completely dissolved state, i.e. comprises atleast partly, preferably fully, one or more solids.

The container can furthermore be designed such that a volume of the acidliquid concentrate can be received or is received in the container inthe range of 1 to 15 liters, preferably in the range of 2 to 14 liters,further preferably in the range of 3 to 13 liters, and particularlypreferably in the range of 4 to 15 liters.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the container has at least oneintroduction means through which the liquid, preferably water, or theliquid, preferably water, and a gas, preferably air, can be introducedinto the container for the purpose of dissolving the dry concentratelocated in the container. The introduction means can, for example, be ahose, a passage, a pipe or another line.

The introduction means can generally be made such that the liquid or theliquid and the gas is/are introduced into a region of the container inwhich the dry concentrate is located, such as in a lower region of thecontainer interior in the operating position.

The supply of the liquid and/or of the gas into the container musttherefore be formed such that the end of the introduction means ends inthe dry concentrate, which brings about the advantage that the supply ofliquid or of liquid and gas may result in a swirling of the dryconcentrate, whereby its dissolving is accelerated.

The supplied gas is preferably a sterile-filtered air within theframework of the present invention.

The one or more introduction means are advantageously thus dimensionedso that they project into the dry concentrate. It is thus possible thata hose or another line projects, for example, from a wall or a portregion of the container into the container interior.

Provision is made in a further embodiment that the container has wallregions in at least one region between which a trough-shaped ordepression-shaped region forms, with the dry concentrate being at leastalso present in the trough-shaped region in the operating position ofthe container. It can be ensured in this manner that the dry concentrate“slides on” into the named trough-shaped region and is thus present at acentral position in which favorable conditions apply for the dissolvingof the dry concentrate.

Provision is thus preferably made that the receptacle has at least one,or a plurality of funnel-like constrictions, and indeed in the lower endregion of the receptacle. It is thus ensured that the non-dissolved dryconcentrate is located directly at the point of delivery of the fluid orliquid and air during the total dissolving procedure and is tocontinuously swirled. The time for the complete dissolving of theconcentrate is in particular reduced to a favorable time period by thismeasure.

The introduction means, i.e. the hose, the line or the like, preferablyextends up to and into the trough-shaped region or up to and into thefunnel-like constriction.

Provision can in particular be made that the introduction means extendsup to and into the trough-shaped region and preferably has at least oneopening, preferably at least one outlet opening and/or at least oneinlet opening, in this region, with provision preferably being made thatin operation a liquid, preferably water, and gas, preferably air, isintroduced through the outlet opening and that in operation the acidliquid concentrate is led off out of the container through the inletopening and/or that the outlet opening and the inlet opening are formedby one and the same opening.

Provision can furthermore be made that the introduction means has aclosure element which is arranged and designed such that the penetrationof the dry concentrate into the introduction means is prevented. It isensured in this manner that no solid can enter into the introductionmeans, but only gas or air and/or liquid or water or the acid liquidconcentrate.

The specific weight of the closure element of the introduction meanspreferably lies in the range <11 kN/m³, preferably in the range <10kN/m³ and particularly preferably in the range of <9.7 kN/m³.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the container has at least oneoutlet means by means of which the acid liquid concentrate can be ledoff from the container. This outlet means can, for example, be a hose oranother line which preferably projects into the interior of thecontainer. It is also possible to form the outlet means simply as anopening in the container.

Provision can in particular be made that the outlet means is formed as acomponent separate from the introduction means and/or that theintroduction means and the outlet means are arranged at differentpositions or sides of the container, preferably at oppositely disposedsides of the container or at the same side of the container.

It is conceivable that the outlet means is partly or fully formed by theintroduction means in accordance with the above-described possibilities.The introduction means and the outlet means can thus be one and the sameelement of the container. A hose or another line can be taken intoconsideration, for example. First, ultrapure water or RO water and/orpreferably purified or filtered air can be conveyed through it, forexample, for the purpose of dissolving the dry concentrate. If the dryconcentrate is preferably completely dissolved, provision can be madethat the acid liquid concentrate formed in this manner is led offthrough the same hose or the same line.

The acid concentrate is supplied to the dialyzer or used in the dialyzerfor manufacturing a finished dialysis solution in that the acidconcentrate and preferably a base concentrate is mixed with water toform the finished dialysis solution. For this purpose, one or moremetering devices such as pumps or the like can be used which meter theconcentrate or the concentrates in the suitable amount to the water orto the water flow which flows, for example, through a main line so thatthe finished dialysis solution includes the desired components in thedesired concentration.

It is conceivable that first a base liquid concentrate and then the acidliquid concentrate in accordance with the invention is admixed to the ROwater. Provision can be made in this respect that in each caseapproximately one part of the base liquid concentrate and approximatelyone part of the acid liquid concentrate are metered into approximately33 parts RO water.

Provision can be made in this respect that the RO water flows through amain line which communicates with two secondary lines in one of whichthe base liquid concentrate is present and in the other of which theacid liquid concentrate is present or which are connected to therespective containers in which the concentrates are respectivelymanufactured.

Provision can furthermore be made that the container has at least oneventing means which is arranged and designed such that air or anothergas can escape from the container, which is preferably the case when theliquid and/or the gas is introduced into the container for the purposeof dissolving the dry concentrate.

The venting means can, for example, be formed by at least one lineand/or by at least one membrane or a filter which is arranged, forexample, in the container wall or in a line or the like which isconnected to the container interior so that air can escape. The ventingmeans is preferably a different component than the means for theintroduction of water and air and for leading off the concentrate.

Provision can furthermore be made that the container has at least onecoding by means of which the container and/or the dry concentrate and/orthe liquid acid concentrate can be identified. It is thus possible, forexample, that a detection unit is provided, for example, at the dialyzeror at the preparation unit or also in another device, for example, ahand-held device, by means of which the coding can be read out. Aspecific dissolving procedure can then be initiated to dissolve the dryconcentrate in an automated or manual manner, for example, on the basisof this information. If an automated recognition of the coding takesplace, provision can be made that an automatic dissolving process isinitiated to dissolve the dry concentrate without any furtherinteraction by the user. If this is concluded, provision can furthermorebe made that, optionally likewise in an automated manner, a metering inof the acid concentrate takes place for manufacturing the finisheddialysis solution.

It is conceivable that the dry concentrate is present in the form of apowder and/or in the form of a granulate. As already stated above, thedry concentrate can comprise only solid substances. The case is,however, also covered by the term “dry concentrate” in the sense of thepresent invention that liquid components are present in the container.

The connection means for coupling the container can be formed such thata connection of the container is only possible using a coupling means ofa dialyzer or by means of a preparation unit or by means of a certaintype of dialyzer or of a preparation unit for a dialyzer. It is thusconceivable that the connection means of the container and the couplingmeans of the dialyzer or of the preparation unit fit together in thesense of a key-and-lock principle or are especially adapted to oneanother so that a faulty coupling to dialyzers or preparation unitswhich are not suitable or which are not provided for the use of thecontainer is precluded.

The container can, for example, be a so-called stand-up container. Sucha container is usually characterized by at least two walls which areconnected to one another by a base which is preferably formed so thatthe container as a whole can stand. In this respect, it is conceivablethat this stand-up container is used within the framework of the presentinvention such that the base is arranged at the top so that, forexample, an upside down triangle results. This can be, but does not haveto be, arranged not standing exactly vertical; a sloped arranged is alsocovered by the invention. Provision is, however, preferably made thatthe corner of the container opposite the named standing base is arrangedat the bottom or in a bottom region when the container is used.

Such a stand-up container has the advantage that it is flat in the emptystate since the standing base is preferably designed such that it can befolded in. In the filled state, such a stand-up container provides acomparatively large volume. The container is preferably formed in themanner of a stand-up container and includes embodiments in which thestanding base has sufficient stability so that the container cantheoretically stand as well as those in which this is not the case.

The stand-up container is preferably arranged so that in the inwardlyfolded state the standing base has an inwardly folded “base section”whose limbs are, however, of unequal length so that an asymmetricaltriangle results when the container is filled or unfolded. Such anembodiment has the result that, on the filling of the container, the“standing base” located at the top is unfolded, with an only smalldisplacement of gravity results due to the asymmetrical design of thefolded standing base so that the V-shaped lower region of the containeralso remains in this lower position when the container is filled.

An efficient dissolving of the dry concentrate can thereby be achieved.

Provision is made in a conceivable embodiment of the invention that thecontainer comprises two films which are sealingly connected to oneanother in a suitable manner. It is thus conceivable, for example, toweld the films together so that the liquid concentrate which is createdby dissolving the dry concentrate can be received in the container.

It is possible to design a wall or a film as substantially straight andto design the other with a folded corner region or marginal region,which brings about the advantage that the container takes up very littlespace in the inwardly folded state and can receive a large volume in theunfolded state.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container thus comprisesexactly two films which form all the walls of the container.

The use of the container is preferably provided such that the “base”which can be formed by the fold of one of the films is arranged at thetop or in an upper region on use of the container so that the oppositelydisposed side of the container which is preferably triangular in alongitudinal section is arranged at the bottom.

The present invention furthermore relates to the use of a container inaccordance with the present invention for manufacturing an acid liquidconcentrate which in turn serves the manufacturing of a dialysissolution, preferably of a dialysis solution for hemodialysis. It isconceivable that the dialysis solution is manufactured by metering theacid liquid concentrate and optionally a base concentrate into a liquidflow or into a liquid volume, preferably comprising ultrapure water orRO water. This dialysis solution can then, optionally after the additionof further substances and optionally after a suitable temperaturetreatment, be used as a finished dialysis solution for carrying out adialysis treatment, preferably a hemodialysis treatment.

The invention further relates to the use of an acid liquid concentratelocated in a container in accordance with the invention formanufacturing a dialysis solution, preferably a dialysis solution, whichis used for hemodialysis.

The present invention furthermore relates to a dialyzer or to apreparation unit, with the preparation unit serving the manufacture of aconcentrate for a dialysis solution. Provision is made in accordancewith the invention that the dialyzer or the preparation unit is coupledto a container in accordance with the invention or is suitable forcoupling to such a container.

The dialyzer or the preparation unit is thus suitable to be coupled to acontainer in accordance with the invention via suitable coupling means.Provision is preferably made that the dialyzer or the preparation unithas means by means of which the dry concentrate located in the coupledcontainer can be completely dissolved in order to be able to provide anacid liquid concentrate in this manner. These means can be designed suchthat at least one liquid, preferably ultrapure water or RO water, or atleast one liquid, preferably ultrapure water or RO water, and at leastone gas, preferably air, is/are introduced into the container.

The dialyzer or the preparation unit can thus have means, in particularone or more pumps or liquid sources and/or compressors or compressed airsources, or are connected or connectable to them, which are designedsuch that at least one liquid and/or at least one gas is/areintroducible or introduced by the means into the container coupled tothe dialyzer or to the preparation unit.

The solution or the acid liquid concentrate located in the containercoupled to the dialyzer or to the preparation unit can furthermore beled out of the container via these means, in particular one or morepumps. The acid liquid concentrate, for example a liquid, e.g. water ora mixture of water and a base concentrate, which flows in a main line,can be metered in by means of the means in order in this way optionallyto be able to manufacture a finished dialysis solution after theaddition of a base concentrate.

The dialyzer or the preparation unit can have at least one meteringdevice which is connected to the named means or includes them, with themetering device being designed such that it meters the acid liquidconcentrate led off out of the container into a liquid stream or into areceptacle preferably partly or completely filled with liquid,preferably with water, for the purpose of manufacturing the dialysissolution.

Provision can furthermore be made that the dialyzer or the preparationunit has at least one main line and at least one secondary line whichopens into the main line and in which or at which the at least onecontainer in accordance with the invention is arranged. It is thusconceivable, for example, that the at least one container is arranged ina secondary line which is connected to a main line at at least one pointor also at two points. It is conceivable in the case of two secondarylines that water or water and air is/are supplied to the container by asecondary line leading to the receptacle and that the liquid concentrateis led off out of the receptacle through a line leading off from thereceptacle.

It is equally conceivable that the secondary line is only connected to amain line at one point and the dissolving process is designed such thata liquid, preferably RO water and/or gas flows from the main line intothe container and, after the dissolving of the dry concentrate, theliquid concentrate is then again conducted via the same secondary lineinto the main line or into another line or into a receptacle.

Furthermore, at least one control or regulation unit can be providedwhich is designed such that it controls or regulates the supply ofliquid, preferably water, or of liquid, preferably water, and gas,preferably air, into the container and/or the removal of gas, preferablyair, and/or of the acid liquid concentrate from the container independence on time and/or in accordance with a specific program and/orsupplies or leads it off in a predefined quantity.

The dissolving process is preferably carried out so that no excesspressure or no substantial excess pressure is present in the container.Venting preferably takes place toward the atmosphere, that is thecontainer is directly or indirectly connected to the atmosphere via theapparatus or via the preparation unit.

It is also possible that the control or regulation unit is designed suchthat it controls or regulates the supply of liquid and/or gas into thecontainer and/or the removal of the solution from the container independence on time, i.e. for example, for a specific duration or inaccordance with a specific time schedule; and/or that a specificquantity of water is added to the receptacle to obtain the desiredconcentrations of the substances.

It is thus conceivable, for example, that liquid, in particular water,or liquid, in particular water, and gas, in particular air, is/aresupplied to the container for a predefined time or at predefinedintervals and/or in a defied volume and/or mass.

The manufacture of the acid concentrate preferably does not take placecontinuously, but rather batch-wise. Air and water are first preferablyintroduced into the dry concentrate or into the container and excess airis removed again. Provision is preferably furthermore made that theliquid concentrate is led off from the container via a pump or the likeafter the full dissolving of the dry concentrate.

Provision is preferably made that the recipe prescribes a certain amountof water. This amount of water is then, for example, carried out indiscrete portions or continuously. A water metering in the form of aplurality of 30 ml volumes which are added after one another isconceivable, for example.

Provision can furthermore be made that the control or regulation unit isdesigned such that the supply of liquid or of liquid and gas takes placecontinuously, in intervals or batch-wise. It is, for example,conceivable, to add a specific quantity of liquid water once and tointroduce, continuously or once or intermittently or permanently, a gas,in particular air, into the container to accelerate the dissolvingprocess.

The present invention moreover relates to a further embodiment of adialyzer or of a preparation unit. Provision is made in this respectthat a dialyzer or a preparation unit, with the preparation unit servingthe manufacturing of a concentrate for manufacturing a dialysissolution, is designed such that the dialyzer or the preparation unit hasat least one connection means by means of which a compressed air linemeans is connectable or connected to a liquid line means, with liquid orliquid and gas being suppliable by means of the connection means to acontainer including at least one dry concentrate, and with acid liquidconcentrate being able to be led off out of the container by means ofthe connection means.

It is possible that at least one control or regulation unit is providedwhich is designed such that it controls or regulates the supply ofliquid, preferably water, or liquid, preferably water, and gas,preferably air, into the container and/or the removal of gas, preferablyof air and/or of the acid liquid concentrate out of the container and/orthat the dialyzer or the preparation unit furthermore has thecharacterizing features in accordance with one of the claims 7 to 9. Thecontainer can in particular be a container in accordance with one of theclaims 1 to 4 and/or in accordance with the above description. It isalso conceivable that the dialyzer or the preparation unit is suitablefor coupling to a container in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4and/or in accordance with the above description. The liquid can bewater, in particular RO water, and the gas can in particular be air.

It is therefore in particular conceivable that a connection is providedin a dialyzer or in a preparation unit from a compressed air line to awater line which serves the supply of RO water into the container andfor leading off the concentrate. In addition, this dialyzer or thispreparation unit has a control and/or regulation unit having a programfor the simultaneous introduction of air and water.

The present invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturingan acid liquid concentrate which serves the manufacture of, a dialysissolution, with the method including the following steps: Coupling acontainer in accordance with the invention to a dialyzer or to apreparation unit; complete dissolving of the dry concentrate; andremoval of the acid liquid concentrate obtained by the completedissolving of the dry concentrate from the container.

It is conceivable that a liquid, preferably water, or a liquid,preferably water, and gas, preferably air, are introduced into thecontainer for the purpose of dissolving the dry concentrate.

Provision can furthermore be made that first a liquid, preferably water,and subsequently gas, preferably air, or liquid, preferably water, andgas, preferably air, are simultaneously introduced into the containerfor the purpose of dissolving the dry concentrate.

It is possible that the liquid, preferably water, or the liquid,preferably water, and the gas, preferably air, is/are conveyed for aspecific time period and/or in a specific volume or mass and/or by aspecific number of conveying movements and/or by a specific operatingperiod of a conveying unit. The liquid or the liquid and the gas cantherefore be conveyed for a specific time period by a specific number ofconveying movements of a conveying unit such as a pump into a container.It is conceivable that, for example, a specific number of balancechamber fillings of the dialyzer is used to fill the container inaccordance with the invention with a liquid or water.

On the use of a balance chamber of a dialyzer as a metering system foradding the solvent and/or for removing the liquid concentrate, it is notpossible to add any desired volumes, but rather only whole-numbermultiples of the balance chamber volume. To achieve the correctconcentration of the finished dialysis solution with a predefined amountof salt, the concentrations obtained on the dissolving are taken intoaccount in the dilution of the concentrate. A similar process is knownform EP 0 548 537 A2 to which reference is made in this respect.

If, for example, the desired volume of the balance chamber or meteringchamber amounts to 30 ml, the exact volume of the chamber may differ dueto a tolerance in the range from −1 ml to +2 ml. This exact volume ofthe balance chamber can amount to 29.50 ml as an example. This value ispresent in the dialyzer.

If the recipe now prescribed a water quantity of, for example, 4500 ml,there results from 4500 ml: 29.5 ml=152.542 switchovers of the meteringsystem. This corresponds to 152 switchovers and a residue of 29.5ml*0.52=15.99 ml. These 15.99 ml are taken into account in thecalculation of the actual mixing ratio.

The pumping volume of the concentrate pump is then calculated from themixing ratio in the bag or in the receptacle calculated in this mannerand is communicated to said pump.

The aforesaid values are naturally only of an exemplary nature andshould only illustrate the general procedure as can be used on the useof the balance chamber system as a metering means. This procedure islikewise part of the present invention.

Provision can furthermore be made that the transmission or theabsorption of the solution located in the container is measured and theextent to which the dry concentrate is dissolved is determined independence thereon. If, for example, the transmission reaches a specificvalue, it can be concluded from this that the dry concentrate iscompletely dissolved. The acid liquid concentrate formed in this mannercan then be led off from the container and used for manufacturing adialysis solution.

It is conceivable that the liquid or the liquid and the gas is/areintroduced continuously, at intervals or batch-wise into the containerand/or the solution is led off from the container continuously, atintervals or batch-wise. Provision is made that a leading off of thesolution from the receptacle only takes place when the dry concentrateis completely dissolved.

It is possible that the supply of liquid, preferably of water, or ofliquid, preferably water, and gas, preferably air, into the containertakes place such that the dry concentrate is completely immersed inliquid, preferably water, and/or such that the dry concentrate is moved,preferably swirled, through the gas, preferably air.

The quantity of the water supplied results, for example, from thecomposition of the powder/granulate. A specific quantity of powder orgranulate has to be mixed with a specific quantity of water. Thepowder/granulate must be able to be completely dissolved by thisquantity of water. On the dissolving or on the filling with water and onthe introduction of the air, the receptacle is preferably open towardthe atmosphere, and indeed preferably via the corresponding coupler ofthe dialyzer or of the preparation unit.

It is preferred if the solution located in the container, i.e. the acidliquid concentrate, is only led off from the container when the dryconcentrate located in the container is completely dissolved. A completedissolving of the dry concentrate is to be aimed for, not only in orderideally to utilize the material of the dry concentrate, but also toprovide a reproducible composition of the acid concentrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details and advantages of the invention result from anembodiment shown in the drawing. There are shown:

FIG. 1: a schematic view of a container in accordance with the inventionwhich is partly filled with dry concentrate;

FIG. 2: a perspective view of a receptacle in accordance with theinvention as well as a coupling region of a dialyzer or of a preparationunit before the coupling of the receptacle;

FIG. 3: a schematic view of an embodiment of the container in accordancewith the invention during manufacture and well as during the openingprocedure;

FIG. 4: a longitudinal sectional view through a container in accordancewith the invention as well as a perspective view of the container inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 5: a plan view of the film web for manufacturing the container;

FIGS. 6, 7: schematic representations of the manufacturing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

The container 10 is designed as a bag 10 which has flexible walls 14.The bag 10 or its walls can comprise a plastic which is preferably madetransparent.

The following statements are not restricted to a bag, but can ratherequally apply to any other receptacle such as a cartridge with rigidwalls.

In the region of the bag 10 at the bottom in the operating position, twowall sections 17, 18 are located which are both designed as sloping withrespect to the horizontal and are made falling respectively from theoutside to the inside and form a trough-shaped region 19 between themwhich forms the bottommost point or region in which the dry concentrate20 is located in the inner container space.

As can further be seen from the Figure, the container 10 is notcompletely filled with dry concentrate 20, but rather only in part.

In the embodiment shown, less than half the container 10 is filled withdry concentrate 20. Air or another gas is located above this bulkmaterial.

The dry concentrate comprises the following substances: electrolytes,glucose and citric acid or another suitable acid in solid or liquidform.

The name electrolytes can be selected from the group NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂,MgCl₂. Conceivable amounts relating to a liter of the finished dialysissolution can be in the range from 130-150 mmol NaCl, 1-4 mmol KCl,1-1.75 mmol CaCl₂ and 0.5-1 mmol MgCl₂. This value can be in the rangefrom 1 mmol/l-15 mmol/l for citric acid.

Glucose can be present in the dry concentrate in a quantity such that aglucose concentration in the range of 1-2 mmol/l results in theready-to-use dialysis solution.

A possible procedure comprises weighing out the named componentsindividually and forming a granulate from all components which is thenpoured into the container or bag 10 as a dry concentrate 20.

The bag 10 can have a volume or an intake capacity of approximately 4-15liters of the acid liquid concentrate which is formed by the solution ofthe dry concentrate. This quantity can be sufficient for 1-3hemodialysis treatments.

The bag 10 has a special connection element 12 in its region shown atthe top in the Figure with which the bag can be suspended at a dialyzeror at a filling station which is also called a preparation unit withinthe framework of the present invention. The connection element 12 can bemade such that it can be connected, preferably in a fluid-tight and/orgas-tight manner, to a special coupler of the dialyzer or of apreparation unit. This connection can be established, for example, by asimple plugging on or by a rotary movement or by a screw connection.

After establishing this connection, liquid and/or gas can be introducedinto the bag 10 by means of the line 16. If the dry concentrate iscompletely dissolved, the acid liquid concentrate can likewise be drawnout of the bag 10 by means of the line 16. The line 16 projects,starting from an upper container wall, from above into the interior ofthe container and down to and into the lowest point of the inner spaceof the receptacle 10 or into the dry concentrate present there.

The dry concentrate containing salt can be present in the bag 10 in aquantity of, for example, 1.3-4.2 kg.

As can further be seen from FIG. 1 and was already mentioned above, thebag has an inflow 16 which is formed in the manner of a hose 16 andwhose open end lies at the above-named lowest point 19 of the bag 10.

The inflow or the hose 16 is provided in its end region projecting intothe container with a cap, a plug, a membrane or the like as protectionto prevent the penetration of the dry concentrate into the interior ofthe hose 16. The specific weight of this closure is preferably in therange <9.7 kN/m³.

The filling with water, the introduction of air and the drawing off ofthe liquid concentrate takes place through the line 16.

The reference numeral 16′ shows an element which serves as a venting tothe atmosphere during the filling of the container. After the filling orafter the dissolving of the dry concentrate, this venting 16′ can beclosed. This means that the element 16′ has no function during thetreatment.

Even though the element 16′ is shown as a short line element in FIG. 1,provision is preferably made that no line 16′ is present, but ratheronly an element such as a filter, etc. via which air can escape from theinterior of the container 10. The container 10 thus preferably has onlyexactly one line 16 which serves the supply of water and gas and theleading off of the liquid concentrate.

On the emptying of the container in the final stage of the treatment,suction takes place at both outlets 16 and 16′ to empty the container asquickly as possible.

Instead of the element 16′ or in addition thereto, a filter can beseated in the connection means 12 which prevents powder from moving outof the bag during transportation.

The produced liquid concentrate can be mixed with a volume of water,preferably RO water, to be able to produce the finished dialysissolution. The base liquid concentrate, which can likewise be obtained bydissolving a dry concentrate in a container coupled to the dialyzer orto a preparation unit, can be metered in before or after the addition ofthe acid liquid concentrate.

It is generally covered by the invention that the container containingthe base concentrate is arranged spatially separate from the containerwhich contains the acid dry concentrate. The case is, however, alsocovered by the invention that both containers are connected to oneanother and optionally form different compartments or chambers of acommon container or bag.

To allow the escape of air from the container on its filling with waterand/or air, a venting element is provided—as stated—which can beconnected to the dialyzer or to the preparation unit. This can be formedby a filter, with this preferably being arranged in the bag wall or inthe region of the connection means 12. This filter should be made suchthat it allows air and liquid to pass through, but no powder orgranulate so that it cannot unintentionally move out of the receptacle.

To be able to carry out a clear identification of the bag, it isconceivable that it is formed with a coding such as a barcode, a2-matrix code or RFID. It is conceivable that the dialyzer and/or apreparation unit has a reading unit for manufacturing the acid liquidconcentrate by means of which this coding can be detected or read out.Based on this information, a method for dissolving the dry concentrate20 in the bag 10 can be initiated, preferably automatically, by thedialyzer or by the preparation unit.

It is conceivable in this respect that the details of the method dependon the named bag coding or container coding. This can apply, forexample, to the quantity of the added water or of the added water andthe air for dissolving the dry concentrate, to the duration of thedissolving procedure, to the question whether the dissolving procedureis assisted by the supply of air, to the order of the addition of airand water, to the question whether a continuous, an intermittent or asingle (batch-wise) dissolving procedure takes place, etc.

Conductivity limit values can furthermore be set on the basis of thecoding.

A possible procedure of the dissolving process can be designed, forexample, such that first water, preferably RO water, is added into thebag 10 through the hose 16 at a water temperature of 37° C. to 85° C.

The water flow can be in a range up to 1200 ml/mm.

In a second subsequent phase, air can preferably then likewise beintroduced via the line 16 into the bag 10 for a specific period.

Alternatively to this, the introduction of water and air into thecontainer can take place simultaneously.

It is also possible to introduce air into the container simultaneouslywith the water, then to stop the water inflow and to continue the watersupply, preferably up to the complete dissolving of the salt or of thedry concentrate 20.

So much water or any other liquid can generally be added into the bag 10or container 10 that it is completely filled or is only partly filled.

The filling of the bag 10 with water can take place, for example, by awhole-number number of balance chamber fillings of the balancechamber/metering chamber of a dialyzer. The actual filling volume of thebag 10 can then be determined with the aid of the known balance chambervolume. The concentrations of the individual substances result from theratio of powder or granulate to water. Any other metering possibilitysuch as a pump, etc. can be used for filling the bag with water.

The duration of the supply of the gas, which is preferably purified airor filtered air, can be in dependence on the filling volume and/ordepend on the airflow.

In an embodiment of the invention, a timer is provided which carries outthe filling or preparation of the acid liquid concentrate after the endof the last dialysis treatment (AutoOFF) or before the start of thedialysis (AutoON). The use of a timer for the preparation unit, which isalso called a filling station, is possible.

If a plurality of dialysis treatments are carried out after one anotherwith the same bag 10, it is possible to carry out an intermediatedisinfection between the treatments. It is conceivable to do the fillingbefore the purging, with no contamination risk being present since it isthe primary circuit.

A “range determination” is furthermore possible, i.e. a determination ofthe possible time of use for the optimum utilization of the acid liquidconcentrate, and is also covered by the invention.

Instead of a canister with liquid acid concentrate, in particular forbicarbonate dialysis, a bag or another container is used with a dry saltconcentrate in accordance with the invention. This bag or container isfilled at the dialyzer or at a filling station, preferably with adefined quantity of water for the dialysis, and is preferably dissolvedby the introduction of air filtered to be sterile. After the dissolvingprocess, an acid concentrate is available which corresponds to thedemands in accordance with EN 13867:2002 in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the container in accordance withthe invention with the connection means 12 which serves the coupling tothe coupling means of a preparation unit or of a dialyzer.

The arrangement which can be seen from FIG. 2 represents in a preferredembodiment an arrangement in accordance with the invention for thecoupling of a container 10 to the dialyzer or to a preparation unitwhich is generally marked by the reference numeral 50.

Air and water can be introduced through the port 52 of the unit or ofthe preparation unit by the connection means 12 to the container 10 andthrough the hose 16 into the lower region of the container. For thispurpose, a connection of the port 52 to the connection 120 at thecontainer side takes place.

The container 10 or its connection means 12 is connected via a furthercoupler or connector 122 to the dialysis machine or to the preparationmachine. The correspondingly associated line is marked by the referencenumeral 51.

It is connected to the element 16′ of the receptacle.

Air is drawn out of the container through the port or the line 51 duringthe dissolving process or during the filling process of the containerwith water and air.

Different from the teaching known from EP 1 344 550 B1, the line 52 orthe line 16 in accordance with the present invention does not only servethe supply of water and air, but also the leading off of the dissolvedconcentrate. It is drawn off through the line 16 and the line 52 bymeans of a suitable conveying means, for example by means of a pump, andis then diluted at a suitable point in the dialyzer or in thepreparation unit so that, optionally after adding a base concentrate, afinished dialysis solution can be provided. This means that the flowpath through the connection means and the coupling means as well asthrough hose of the water used for the dissolving at least regionallycorresponds to that via which the liquid concentrate is led off. One andthe same pump can also be used to supply the water, on the one hand, andto lead off the liquid concentrate, on the other hand.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the ports or the lines 51, 52 have stubsonto which the connectors 120, 122 of the receptacle 10 are placed, andpreferably plugged, so that receiving regions of the connectors 120, 122receive the stubs. For this purpose, recesses or receivers 53, 54 arearranged at the unit or at the preparation unit into which the namedstubs project and into which the corresponding connectors 120, 122 areinserted when the container 10 is coupled. In the coupled state, thestubs project into receivers of the connectors 120, 122 or are leastconnected therewith such that a fluid-tight connection is established.

The connector 120 is in fluid communication with the hose 16 and theconnector 122 is in fluid communication with the element 16′ or with afilter of the receptacle. Such a connection can, for example, beachieved by a groove or the like in the wall of the connectors 120, 122,as is described in EP 1 344 550 B1. A chamber which is likewisedescribed in more detail in DEP 1 344 550 B1 can be located between theconnector 120, 122 and the line 16 and the element 16′.

As stated, the element 16′ is preferably not a hose or the like, butrather only a means which allows the air and optionally liquid to passand holds back the dry powder/granulate.

Accordingly, water and air can be supplied to the container 10 and theliquid concentrate can be led off out of the container 10 via the line52 at the unit side and via the connector 120. Air can be removed or canescape from the container via the line 51 at the unit side and theconnector 122.

In the installed state of the receptacle 10, the cover 59 of the unit orof the preparation unit pivotable about the axis 65 is then folded down,i.e. after the coupling of the receptacle 10, so that the stubs 70, 71arranged at the cover 59 press from above onto the connectors 120, 122of the connection means 12 and hold them in the coupled position. If noreceptacle is used, the stubs 70, 71 can engage into the cut-outs 53, 54so that a fluid-tight connection likewise results. A purging process canbe carried out in this position of the cover.

The reference numeral 60 finally marks the end region of the bag 10which is sealingly connected to the connection element 12.

FIG. 3 shows a first film with the reference film 500 and a second filmof an embodiment of the container 10 with the reference numeral 600. Afolded region which connects the two films 500 and 600 is marked by thereference numerals 700. This folded region 700 can be designed as aseparate part or can be connected in one piece to one of the films 500,600. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the folded region 700 is formed by twolimbs which are arranged acutely to one another, but do not have thesame length.

FIG. 3 furthermore shows the opening process of the container from thefolded state shown to the left of the arrow and in the unfolded stateshown to the right of the arrow.

It is achieved by the limbs of the fold region 700 of unequal lengthsthat on the unfolding the center of gravity moves less than with limbsof equal length so that the V-shaped tip of the container shown by thereference numeral 710 remains at the bottom, which is of importance forthe dissolving process.

The term “film” used within the framework of the present invention is tobe interpreted generally and includes any wall material of thecontainer. It can be made as elastic, flexible, etc.

The films 500, 600 and the fold 700 or the corner region 700 cancomprise the same material.

FIG. 4, left hand illustration, shows the container in accordance withFIG. 3 in a longitudinal sectional representation and in a perspectiveview. The connection means 12 by means of which the container can becoupled to a dialyzer or to a preparation unit for the acid concentrateis arranged in the upper region of the container. This connection meansis in fluid-tight connection with the adjacent films or wall regions ofthe container 10.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, a wall of the container is formed by a filmand the other wall of the container by the other film which has thefold-like section. It can be seen from the Figures that the containertakes up relatively little space in the folded state, but has a largeintake volume for the dry concentrate or for the dissolved concentratein the unfolded state.

Provision is made in a preferred embodiment of the invention that thecontainer or its walls is/are manufactured exactly from two films.

FIG. 5 shows the film web which comprises two rows 800, 900 in a planview. As can be seen from the Figure, the film sections for forming thecontainer walls are formed in trapezoidal shape in a plan view and arearranged in the two webs such that the lower row 900 of the trapezoidalsections is upside down with respect to the upper row 800 of thetrapezoidal sections, i.e. is standing on its head. This allows a goodutilization of the film material.

As can further be seen from FIG. 5, the clippings 1000 are keptrelatively small in this manner and are preferably likewise not locatedbetween the mutually adjacent trapezoids.

As is marked by the reference symbol A, the welding is produced in onestep in accordance with the shown pattern M and the cutting of the filmstakes place in a step B following it likewise in accordance with thepattern M.

FIG. 6 shows the films 500, 600 which form the container in aperspective representation. As can be seen from FIG. 5 and as indicatedby arrows, the upper one of the films 500 is first folded in step 1 andthen welded to the lower film web 600 in step 2. The step of the cuttingof the two films to produce mutually separate containers is not shown inFIG. 5. The reference numeral 1100 marks the apparatus for welding therespective film sections.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual films areeach multilayer films, preferably two-layer films. One layer representsa sealing layer which has a low melting temperature. The other layer hasa higher melting temperature in respect to this and has a mechanicalstrength or resistance which is good relative thereto.

The use of polyamide (high melting temperature, good resistanceproperties, transparent and visually appealing) and polyethylene (lowermelting temperature, easy to weld) is conceivable. Such a two-layer filmrepresents a good option for manufacturing the container in accordancewith the invention.

The thickness of the films is preferably 200 micrometers and thedimensioning of the films is carried out in that the filled containercan take up a volume of 5 liters.

FIG. 7 shows the two films 500, 600 which form the later walls of thecontainer in the left hand illustration. In a first method step, thefilms are rolled off (FIG. 7, left hand illustration). A fold or a kinkis then produced in one of the films 500, as can be seen from FIG. 7,middle and right hand representation. This kink is carried out such thatthe length of the two films in the kinked state of the film 500 issubstantially identical. The region formed by two limbs 501 forms a wallof the container 10; the further walls are formed by the adjacentsections of the film 500 and by the film 600.

The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the samemay be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: at least one dryconcentrate, the dry concentrate being provided so that the dryconcentrate forms at least one acid liquid concentrate or a part of anacid liquid concentrate which is suitable for manufacturing at least onedialysis solution on a dissolving thereof in a liquid; at least oneconnector with which the container is coupleable to a dialyzer or to apreparation unit for the acid liquid concentrate; a first film and asecond film which form walls of the container, with one of the firstfilm and the second film having a folded section in an empty state ofthe container which forms one of the walls of the container in a filledstate of the container, with the folded section being formed by twolimbs which are arranged acutely to one another, and which have adifferent length from one another, and with the folded sectionconnecting the first film and the second film which form the walls ofthe container; and wall regions which face toward one another in atleast one region and between which a trough-shaped region or a recess isformed, with the dry concentrate being at least also present in thetrough-shaped region or in the recess in an operating position of thecontainer, with the two opposite walls of the container being the firstfilm and the second film, and the base being the folded section, so thatan asymmetrical triangle results when the container is filled orunfolded.
 2. The container in accordance with claim 1, wherein thefolded section is configured as a separate part or is connected in onepiece to one of the first film and the second film.
 3. The container inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the container is configured as astand-up container.
 4. The container in accordance with claim 3, whereinthe stand-up container has a stand-up section arranged at a top thereofduring use of the container.
 5. The container in accordance with claim1, wherein the first film and the second film and the folded section, ora corner region thereof, have a same material of construction.
 6. Thecontainer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a thickness of the firstfilm and the second film is 200 micrometres and a dimensioning of thefirst film and the second film is such that the filled containeroccupies a volume of 5 liters.
 7. The container according to claim 1,wherein the acid liquid concentrate is associated with a dialysissolution for hemodialysis.
 8. The container according to claim 1,wherein the liquid is water.